Barcelona: Five ideal candidates to replace Ernesto Valverde

4. Mauricio Pochettino

Cast your minds back to May earlier this year. Pochettino was regarded as one of the best managers in the world. His Tottenham Hotspur side were flying sky-high in the Champions League and were unlucky not to win it in the final against Liverpool.

Pochettino had set-up a perfect attacking style of play which worked wonders for Spurs. The Argentinian had built the London side up from almost scratch and moulded them into one of the best teams in England. He had previously done a great job at Southampton too and his innovative thinking and explosive style of play made him an exciting managerial prospect.

It is fair to say Tottenham had struggled under his leadership at the start of the season and Daniel Levy’s ruthlessness had struck again when Pochettino was let go by the London club. Though many will say his sacking was unfair and he wasn’t given enough time to turn things around. Regardless Pochettino’s achievements prior to his sacking should not be overlooked and he is still one of the best up and coming coaches in the game.

Perhaps at a side like Barcelona given enough time Pochettino could spread his wings once more and deliver an equally attractive attacking style of play to that of which he had developed at Spurs.

The Champions League is one of the most coveted trophies by Barcelona, and having led his undeniably weaker side to that of Barcelona in Tottenham to the final, imagine what he could do with the Catalans star studded team.

Add to that his willingness to bring through youth players and being a fellow compatriot of Lionel Messi he ticks all the right boxes to be a Barcelona manager and he could thrive at the Nou Camp if he is given the chance. Most certainly he is a better candidate compared to that of the dire and cynical Ernesto Valverde.